About this Program
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program is CACREP-accredited and prepares students to practice as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Virginia and across the United States. Coursework is offered online and on-campus in Norfolk, Virginia, and does not require GRE scores for admission.
As part of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's CACREP-accredited counseling program in the Department of Counseling & Human Services, Clinical Mental Health Counseling students engage with counseling theory and skills, research and assessment, professional identity and ethics, and the principles of advocacy and multicultural-social justice in clinical practice. The curriculum includes 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship in approved field placements, preparing graduates to begin their residency toward LPC licensure immediately after graduation.
New students may begin the program in the fall (application deadline February 1) or spring semester (application deadline October 1).
Program Highlights
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CACREP-accredited counseling program. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).
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No GRE required. Admission is based on undergraduate transcripts, resume, essay, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required.
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Online or on-campus. The full M.S.Ed. is offered online through ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈGlobal and on-campus at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Norfolk campus. Same degree, same CACREP accreditation, same LPC eligibility.
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Full-time or part-time. Elect to take courses full-time or part-time.
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National Counselor Exam (NCE) before graduation. Students have the opportunity to take the National Counselor Exam before graduating, accelerating the path to LPC licensure post-graduation.
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Study abroad opportunities. Optional study abroad in Italy and Ireland to count toward select courses.
Pathway to LPC Licensure
Graduates pursuing LPC licensure in Virginia complete:
- Completion of an approved master's program (ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's CACREP-accredited program meets this requirement)
- 3,400 hours of supervised residency under a Virginia Board of Counseling-approved supervisor (typically 2-3 years post-graduation)
- Passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Submission of the Virginia LPC application and licensure fee
Because ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's program is CACREP-accredited, graduates can pursue LPC (or state-equivalent) licensure in nearly any state. Specific state requirements vary, most require 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised post-graduation experience and passage of the NCE or NCMHCE, but CACREP graduation eliminates the educational-requirement gap that non-CACREP graduates often face.
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Program Licensure Disclosure Directory provides state-by-state details on whether the program directly leads to licensure in your state of intended practice.
Graduates pursuing LPC licensure in Virginia complete:
- Completion of an approved master's program (ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's CACREP-accredited program meets this requirement)
- 3,400 hours of supervised residency under a Virginia Board of Counseling-approved supervisor (typically 2-3 years post-graduation)
- Passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Submission of the Virginia LPC application and licensure fee
Because ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's program is CACREP-accredited, graduates can pursue LPC (or state-equivalent) licensure in nearly any state. Specific state requirements vary, most require 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised post-graduation experience and passage of the NCE or NCMHCE, but CACREP graduation eliminates the educational-requirement gap that non-CACREP graduates often face.
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Program Licensure Disclosure Directory provides state-by-state details on whether the program directly leads to licensure in your state of intended practice.
Featured Courses
Requirements
Applicants may hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and must submit the following:
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Online application at the Office of Graduate Admissions website
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Current resume
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Essay
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Official Transcripts
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Two Letters of Recommendation
For Admission to the Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Deadlines
New students can begin the program in the fall or spring semester.
Fall Semester deadline: February 1
Spring Semester deadline: October 1
Transfer
At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful...
Licensure Information
Use our Program Licensure Disclosure Directory to explore whether this program will prepare you for licensure in your state.
Visit Program Licensure Disclosure DirectoryCareers
Check out these ideas from ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
Alumni Careers
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Assistantships
Counseling master’s degree students are sometimes awarded assistantships in various ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ offices including Academic Skills, Financial Aid, Office of Intercultural Relations, Resident Life, Student Activities, Student Development, Student Health Services, Student Life, and Vice President of Student Services. Students interesting in obtaining an assistantship should apply directly to offices on campus that have assistantships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the gold standard for counseling program accreditation and enables direct licensure portability across most states.
After completing the M.S.Ed., Virginia LPC candidates complete 3,400 hours of supervised residency under a Virginia Board of Counseling-approved supervisor (typically 2-3 years post-graduation), pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and submit the Virginia LPC application. Because ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's program is CACREP-accredited, the educational requirement is met directly.
CACREP standards require 100 practicum hours (with at least 40 hours of direct client services) and 600 internship hours (with at least 240 hours of direct client services). All clinical hours are completed under qualified site supervision plus ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ faculty supervision.
Full-time students typically complete the program in 2.5-3 years including practicum and internship. Part-time students typically complete in 3-4 years.
Yes. The full M.S.Ed. is offered both online through ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈGlobal and on-campus at the Norfolk campus. The same degree, the same CACREP accreditation, and the same LPC eligibility apply to both formats. Online students complete practicum and internship in approved local field sites.
No. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ does not require GRE scores for admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Admission is based on undergraduate transcripts, resume, essay, and two letters of recommendation.
New students may begin in the fall (application deadline February 1) or spring semester (application deadline October 1).
Yes. Courses are offered in late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working students. The program offers both full-time and part-time enrollment. Practicum and internship requirements typically require some daytime availability for clinical placement hours.
Most graduates pursue LPC licensure and clinical roles in community mental health centers, hospital outpatient programs, school counseling, private practice, addictions treatment programs, military and veteran mental health, and first responder mental health programs. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni work at organizations including Optima Health, Envision Family Services, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services.
Tuition costs vary by program and are subject to change. Visit the Current Tuition Rates page for the most up-to-date tuition information.
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